OTRC: Oscars 2014: Lupita Nyong'o wins Best Supporting Actress

Lupita Nyong'o has won the 2014 Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Steve McQueen's drama film "12 Years A Slave," marking the 30-year-old actress' first win and first nomination.

The winners were announced at a live ceremony that took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and aired live on ABC on Sunday, March 2. Nyong'o beat Sally Hawkins of "Blue Jasmine," Jennifer Lawrence of "American Hustle," Julia Roberts of "August: Osage County" and June Squibb of "Nebraska."

"12 Years a Slave" is based on the true story of Solomon Northup (played by Chiwitel Ejiofor in the film), who after a night of drinking finds himself chained to a floor, drugged, and being sold into slavery. He is later bought by plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) and meets Patsey (Nyong'o), who is also owned by Epps. Epps becomes obsessed with Patsey and he and his wife physically abuse her.

" Yes! Thank you to the Academy for this incredible recognition. It doesn't escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else's. And so I want to salute the spirit of Patsey for her guidance," Nyong'o said in her tearful acceptance speech.

"And for Solomon, thank you for telling her story and your own. Steve McQueen, you charge everything you fashion with a breath of your own spirit. Thank you so much for putting me in this position. This has been the joy of my life. I'm certain that the dead are standing about you and watching and they are grateful and so am I."

"12 Years A Slave" was nominated for nine Oscars, including individual nods for Ejiofor, Fassbender and McQueen -- who was also nominated for Best Directing.

"Chiwetel, thank you for your fearlessness and how deeply you went into telling Solomon''s story," Nyong'o said. "Michael Fassbender, thank you so much. You were my rock. Alfre and Sarah, it was a thrill to work with you. Joe Walker, the invisible performer in the editing room, thank you. Sean Bobbitt, Kalaadevi, Adruitha, Patty Norris, thank you, thank you, thank you, I could not be here without your work."

"I want to thank my family for your training and the Yale School of Drama as well for your training," she added. "My friends, the Wilsons, this one's for you. My brother, Junior, sitting by my side. Thank you so much. You are my best friend. And Ben, my other best friend, my chosen family. When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you're from your dreams are valid. Thank you."